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enJ-League Wrap: Gamba take title as rivals lose​Gamba Osaka capped a sensational second-half of the J-League season by winning the title on Saturday for only the second time.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-gamba-take-title-rivals-lose
Going into the final weekend Gamba, Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers could have all claimed the title, but Gamba's goalless draw with relegated Tokushima Vortis was enough to finish top as their rivals both lost.
Having won promotion to the top flight last season,Gamba made a stuttering start to the campaign with only four wins before the mid-season break, however they have risen to the top since it restarted in July with 15 wins along the way and also won the League Cup last month.
They were unable to find a way through against Tokushima, but in the end the point was enough to see them complete the second part of a potential treble, with the Emperor Cup final against Montedio Yamagatanext weekend the final piece of the jigsaw.
Urawa looked to be on course for the championship when Yomoaki Makino gave them the lead after two minutes against Nagoya Grampus, but two goals in the final 18 minutes saw them lose 2-1 and miss out on the title.
Yusuke Muta levelled for Grampus, before Kensuke Nagai struck a winnerin the 89th minute to add insult to injury for a Reds side that could have won the title two weeks ago but lost to Gamba at home.
Kashima were always fighting a battle against Sagan Tosu after Yoshiki Takahashi opened the scoring six minutes in andthe hosts were unable to find a way back in as theyslipped to a 1-0 defeat, meaning they just held onto third, and an AFC Champions League spot.
At the bottom Tokushima and Cerezo Osaka had already been relegated, but the final place was yet to be decided with Omiya Ardija and Shimizu S-Pulse battling it out to survive.
Omiya did their best to climb out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win over Cerezo, however Shimizu's 0-0 draw with Ventforet Kofu meant they preserved their top flight status by one point.
Elsewhere, Kawasaki Frontale beat 10-man Vissel Kobe 2-1 and Sanfrecce Hiroshima recorded a 2-0 victory over Vegalta Sendai thanks to a Yojiro Takahagi double.
Sho Ito rescued a 1-1 draw for Yokohama F Marinos against 10-man Tokyo, while the final game of the season will need to be rescheduled after Albirez Niigata's clash with Kashiwa Reysol was postponed due to heavy snow.
news_articleSat, 06 Dec 2014 10:22:57 +0000Anonymous300535 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Urawa maintain title hopeUrawa Reds have not given up hope of winning the J-League title, despite surrendering top spot heading into the final round.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-urawa-maintain-title-hope
Three teams are in contention to win the championship after Urawa conceded at the death to draw 1-1 at fourth-placed Sagan Tosu last week.
Urawa appeared to have one hand on the trophy when former Japan international Yuki Abe converted a 67th-minute penalty, but despite playing the remaining 27 minutes with 10 men, hosts Sagan equalised via veteran defender Teruaki Kobayashi in injury time.
The draw opened the door for rivals Gamba Osaka (62 points, +28), who moved to the summit on goal difference following their 3-1 win at home to Vissel Kobe.
Kashima Antlers (60 points, +26) are also in the mix having emerged emphatic 4-1 victors against Cerezo Osaka, who were relegated as a result.
But Urawa (62 points, +21) will battle until the end as they prepare to host Nagoya Grampus at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Saturday.
"It is difficult to make comments looking at our situation," Urawa coach Mihailo Petrovic said after last week's draw.
"We conceded in the 88th minute against Gamba and then in the 94th today. We are conceding late goals and not getting results and these last two games have really hurt us.
"It hurts to concede top spot before the last game of the season but as long as there is a possibility [of us winning the title] then we will keep battling until the very end."
Gamba are on the road for their final match, travelling to Pocarisweat Stadium to face cellar-dwelling Tokushima Vortis, who are winless in 12 games.
Kashima - unbeaten in five outings - entertain Sagan at Kashima Soccer Stadium, needing favourable results in games involving Gamba and Urawa to stand any chance of winning the title.
Relegation-threatened Omiya Ardija take on Cerezo, with their top-flight status on the line.
Omiya (32 points, +18) are three points adrift of safety as Shimizu S-Pulse (35 points, +18) play Ventforet Kofu.
In other fixtures, Kashiwa Reysol will be out to make it seven leagues wins on the bounce when they make the trip to Albirex Niigata.
Tokyo host Yokohama F Marinos in a mid-table clash, Vissel go head-to-head with Kawasaki Frontale, while Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vegalta Sendai meet at EDION Stadium.
news_articleThu, 04 Dec 2014 04:31:05 +0000Anonymous299166 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Urawa lose top spot to GambaUrawa Reds conceded a late goal in a 1-1 draw at Sagan Tosu on Saturday to relinquish their lead in the J-League with one match to play.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-urawa-reds-lose-top-spot-gamba-osaka
A home defeat to Gamba Osaka had denied Urawa the chance to seal the title last weekend, but their run-in continued to unravel against 10-man Sagan.
Yuki Abe opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 69thminute, after Naoya Kikuchihad seen red for a clumsy challenge just inside the box.
But the visiting defenders were left looking at each other with bemusement when substitute Teruaki Kobayashirose highest to nod home from a corner in the fourth minute of second-half injury time.
The result leaves Urawa on a run of one win in six league matches and on the verge of throwing away a golden opportunity to claimtheir first league title since 2006.
Gamba are the main beneficiaries of Urawa's capitulation, climbing to the summit on goal difference following a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe.
Takashi Usami broke the deadlock with a left-footed effort from 20 yardsafter 39 minutes, and Patric made it 2-0 at the break when he tucked the ball under goalkeeper Kenta Tokushige from close range.
Usima then doubled his tally with a low drive four minutes into the second half, before Keijiro Ogawa headed a late consolation.
Gamba and Urawa are now locked on 62 points heading into the final weekend of the season, but Kashima Antlers - two points further back - will not have given up hope of making a late bid for top spot.
Toninho Cerezo's men are unbeaten in five after a 4-1 win at the nowrelegated Cerezo Osakaon Saturday and host Sagan next weekend.
At the other end of the table, Vegalta Sendai ensured their safety with a 2-1 win over the basement clubTokushima Vortis, leaving Shimizu S-Pulse and Omiya Ardijafightingto avoid the final relegation spot.
Omiya - the current occupants of a place in the bottom three - suffered a 2-1 defeat at Nagoya Grampus, while S-Pulse lost 3-1 at Kashiwa Reysol.
Elsewhere, Ventforet Kofu played out a goalless draw with Tokyo and Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1 with 2013 champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
news_articleSun, 30 Nov 2014 17:02:11 +0000Anonymous296687 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Flying Gamba chasing UrawaGamba Osaka will aim to maintain their momentum on Saturday as they look to reel in Urawa Reds in the J-League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-flying-gamba-chasing-urawa
Urawa could have clinched their first J-League championship since 2006 last week but Gamba stunned the leaders 2-0 in Saitama to keep the title race alive with two rounds remaining.
Gamba (59 points, plus 26 goal difference) will host Vissel Kobe on Saturday and another victory, plus any failure by Urawa (61, plus 21) to win at fourth-placed Sagan Tosu, will see Kenta Hasegawa's Osaka-based side move into top spot in the J.League table.
If Urawa win and Gamba do not, the Reds will be crowned champions.
The match in Tosu will also be critical for the hosts, who could leapfrog Kashima Antlers into third and an AFC Champions League (ACL) berth with a win.
Tosu (56, plus seven) have won their past two games and will move past Kashima (57, plus 23) if they knock off Urawa and the Antlers fail to beat Cerezo Osaka, who are battling relegation.
Goals to Akihiro Sato and Shu Kurata in the last three minutes at Saitama Stadium saw Gamba triumph last week, while Hasegawa's team maintained that form with a 5-2 triumph over Shimizu S-Pulse in the Emperor's Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Takashi Usami and Patric both notched braces against Shimizu.
Gamba have only lost one of their past eight games in all competitions and should be confident against Kobe, who have lost two matches in a row and lie 10th.
After leading 3-2 at half-time in the Emperor's Cup, Hasegawa was happy with how his team ground out the result against Shimizu.
"We stayed focused in the second half and although there were a few scares the players did well. We have somehow got to the final," he said.
"We only have two days off before our next league match and I am sure that there will be a bit of tiredness physically but it is our last home game and I hope we can pull together and get a good result."
Fifth-placed Kashiwa Reysol (54, plus four) still have a chance of qualifying for the ACL and having won their past six matches in all competitions, Nelson Baptista's men should believe they can stay in contention when they host Shimizu, who sit just above the drop zone.
If Shimizu lose, Omiya Ardija could overhaul S-Pulse and move away from relegation with a victory at Nagoya Grampus, while bottom club Tokushima Vortis are already certain of playing in the second division next season ahead of their clash with Vegalta Sendai.
Lowly Ventforet Kofu will be keen to extend their winning streak to four matches when they host FC Tokyo, while in other fixtures, Kawasaki Frontale take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Yokohama F Marinos face Albirex Niigata.
news_articleFri, 28 Nov 2014 04:27:40 +0000Anonymous295234 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Gamba deny title-chasing UrawaLate goals from Gamba Osaka pair Akihiro Sato and Shu Karata denied Urawa Reds a first J-League title since 2006 on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-gamba-deny-title-chasing-urawa-ventforet-ensure-safety
Table-topping Urawa went into the weekend's first-versus-second clash inSaitamaknowing that three points would sealtheir long-awaited championship win, while a draw would put them on the verge of glory with just two games remaining.
However, the hosts were beaten courtesy of goalsfrom Sato and Kurata, with the first coming after 87 minutes when Lins squared for Sato to finish following a quick breakaway.
And the points were sealed for Gamba soon after whenKarata fired homeafter a quick stepover to beat his man.
Gamba now trail the leaders by just two points going into the final two games, with Reds urgently needing to steel themselves before visiting fourth-place Sagan Tosu next week.
Mathematically, Sagan remain in with a chance of winning the title - trailing Urawa by five points - but they will likely be focused on stealing into the AFC Champions League places.
Michihiro Yasuda's 83rd-minute goal at Tokushima Vortis kept Sagan a point behind Kashima Antlers in third, with Toninho Cerezo's side condemning Kawasaki Frontale to a third consecutive league defeat.
At the other end of the table, CerezoOsaka salvaged a point againstVegalta Sendai in a3-3 thriller tokeep their survival hopes alive.
Having fought back from 2-0 down, Cacau's injury-time equaliser cancelled out Ramon Lopes' earlier effort to keep Vegalta in the relegation mix-up.
Shimizu S-Pulse's hopes of staying in the J-League remain in the balance, despite twice fightingbackto gain a 2-2 draw against Nagoya Grampus,while Omiya Ardija stay 16th afer a 2-1 reverseat home to Kashiwa Reysol.
Ventforet Kofu were able to secure their top-flightstatus for another season, however, as Hideomi Yamamoto and Ryohei Arai on target in their2-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
That leaves four teams battling to avoid joining Tokushima in the J2 League while, elsewhere, there were wins for Yokohama F Marinos atVissel Kobe andAlbirex Niigata against Tokyo.
news_articleSat, 22 Nov 2014 10:29:43 +0000Anonymous291693 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Gamba out to deny Urawa titleGamba Osaka won the J-League Cup at Saitama Stadium 2002 this month but could be brought back down to earth at the same venue on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-gamba-out-deny-urawa-title-cerezo-face-vegalta
Gamba produced a dramatic fightback to beatSanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 at the home of Urawa Reds just under a fortnight ago and securetheJ-League Cup for the first time in seven years.
Hisato Sato's double had givenSanfrecce a two-goal lead, but Patric struck either side of half-time to and Kotaro Omori won it 19 minutes from time to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Urawa will be hoping for more celebrations attheirstadium this weekend, as victory over second-placed Gamba will ensure they win theJ-League title with two games to spare.
MihailoPetrovic's side beatYokohama F Marinos 1-0 in their final game before the three-week break to stand on the brink of being crowned champions for the first time since 2006.
They hold a five-pointlead over KentaHasegawa's Gambaand know a winwill ensure they cannot be caught ahead of their final two games against Sagan Tosu and Nagoya Grampus.
Kashima Antlers are seven points adrift of the leaders ahead of their home clash withKawasaki Frontale, while Sagan are a further point back as they prepare to travel to relegatedTokushima Vortis.
It also promises to be atense weekend for sides at the other end of the table, with second-bottomCerezo Osaka travelling to aVegalta Sendai side just four points better off.
Time is also running out forOmiya Ardija, who picked up just one point from their three league games before the break and dropped into the bottom three as a result.
Omiya hostKashiwa Reysol on Saturday in another crunch clash in Saitama, while fourth-bottomShimizu S-Pulse will hope to regain the momentumfrom their victory atFrontale when they faceGrampus.
Ventforet Kofu will be out to inflict more misery onSanfrecce by securing a third consecutive win which could ensure they are safe, whileVissel Kobe entertainMarinos andTokyo hostAlbirex Niigata in the other games to be played on Saturday.
news_articleThu, 20 Nov 2014 09:47:47 +0000Anonymous290392 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Sekine puts Urawa on the brinkTakahiro Sekines late winner against Yokohama F Marinos put Urawa Reds on the verge of a first J-League title in eight years on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-sekine-puts-urawa-brink-title
Having seen rivals Gamba Osaka held to a 1-1 draw by Vegalta Sendai on Sunday, Urawa left it late to take full advantage, but did so courtesy of19-year-old midfielderSekine.
Pouncing on a rebound in the Yokohama penalty area, Sekine made himself the match-winner 11 minutes from time after the hosts had been dealt an early blow with the injury-enforced removal of captain Shunsuke Nakamura.
The winleaves Urawa one victoryaway from sealing a first championship since 2006 as Mihailo Petrovic's side take on Gamba next week, withfive points separating the top two and three games to go.
Gamba coachKenta Hasegawa was left frustrated by a 90th-minuteequaliser from Atsushi Yanagisawaat theExpo '70 Commemorative Stadium.
Kotaro Omori had given the hosts thelead shortly after the interval, but they were left contemplating a costly equaliser with Kashima Antlers and Sagan Tosu nowhot on their heels for an AFC Champions League place.
Kashima came from a goal down to beat Albirex Niigata 2-1 and move third courtesy of goals from Atsutaka Nakamura and Daigo Nishi.
Tosu also came out on top by the same scoreline against Vissel Kobeafter late drama at the Best Amenity Stadium - Yohei Toyoda's brace sending the home side fourth.
Kawasaki Frontale's form continuesto faulter, with afourth defeat in five J.League outings comingat the hands ofShimizu S-Pulse as the hostswent down 3-2 after twice throwing away leads.
Kazuya Murata grabbed a late winnerto gain the visitors a surprise win that bolsters their hopes of survival.
Ventforet Kofu were the big winners in the battle forsafety however, as they put distance between themselves and fellow strugglers Cerezo Osaka with a 3-1 win at the Yanmar Stadium.
Former Germany international Cacau gave the hosts thelead after 25 minutes butlate goals from Kohei Morita, Hideomi Yamamoto and Kazunari Hosaka took Ventforet four points clear of the bottom three,while heightening Cerezo's relegation fears.
Omiya Ardija take Ventforet's place in the drop zone after a 1-1 draw with defending championsSanfrecce Hiroshima, andalreadyrelegated Tokushima Vortisfell to a 2-0 loss against Kashiwa Reysol.
Tokyo and Nagoya Grampus played out an entertaining 2-2 draw as goals from Edu and Yoshinori Muto sent Massimo Ficcadenti's side back to the capital with a share of the spoils.
news_articleMon, 03 Nov 2014 11:23:44 +0000Anonymous280664 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Gamba out to close on UrawaIn-form Gamba Osaka know that a home victory over Vegalta Sendai in Sundays J-League clash will move them top of the table.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-gamba-out-close-urawa
Long-time leaders UrawaRedshave takenjust five points from a possible 15, while Gamba have won eight of their last nine league games to move to within three points of the summit- with a superior goal difference.
The Reds are not in actionuntilMonday, when they tackle mid-table Yokohama F.Marinos, and their next game is against Gamba, with only two rounds to come after that crunch clash.
Yasuhito Endo, in his 14th season with Gamba, has been central to their excellent form, and themidfielder has urged his side to pass what is, on paper, a straightforward assignment before focusing on the showdown with the Reds.
"The game against Urawa is looming, but we've got to forget about that and give it our all against Sendai," Endo stressed.
"We've been on a roll and cut a big gap, and that gives us confidence, but we've achieved nothing yet. We must win to keep up the pressure."
Urawa suffered a blow in midweek when leading marksman Shinzo Koroki – an ever-present for them this season – was ruled out of the Yokohama game due to a fractured fibula.
Tadanari Lee is expected to replace Koroki, with the former Southampton manhavingscored the only goal in the sides' first meeting this season, and he also came off the bench to grab Urawa a point at Kashima Antlers last time out.
It has been sevenandahalf years since the rivals drew in the J-League, with Yokohama recording nine victories to Urawa's five since that stalemate.
Kashima Antlers, Kawasaki Frontale, Sagan Tosu and Kashiwa Reysol are the only realistic contenders for the third and final AFC Champions League place.
Kashiwa are overwhelmingly expected to make it four successive wins at home to the alreadyrelegated Tokushima Vortis, while the other three try to rebound from defeats. Kashima are at mid-table Albirex Niigata, while Sagan host another team with little to play for in Vissel Kobe.
Kawasaki, by contrast, are at home to a Shimizu S-Pulse side in desperate need of points. Shimizu are, along with Vegalta, Ventforet Kofu, Omiya Ardija and Cerezo Osaka, scrapping to avoid the remaining two relegation places.
Omiya are away to eight-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima, while Cerezo and Ventforet collide.
Cerezo have taken four points from their last two matches, but Ventforet have triumphed on their past three J-League visits to Yanmar Stadium Nagai.
Finally, Nagoya Grampus entertain a Tokyo side who have lost three of their last four matches to slide to seventh.
news_articleFri, 31 Oct 2014 20:04:12 +0000Anonymous278995 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Struggling Cerezo stun UrawaCerezo Osaka gave their J-League survival hopes a boost and simultaneously dented Urawa Reds title charge with a 1-0 win on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-struggling-cerezo-stun-urawa-reds-kashima-close-gap
The Reds had been on a fine run of five wins from their previous six league matches, with the only blemish on their record in that period being a 4-4 draw at Tokyo.
A victoryon Saturday would have seen them remain seven points clear at the top of the table, while Cerezo would have stayed in the relegation zone.
However, the result did not go to form as Cerezo snatched their second win from four games, after previously going 11 without victory.
Cerezo were dealt the blow of losing captain and Japan international Hotaru Yamaguchi for three months due to a knee injuryin the build-up, but former Germany international forward Cacau stepped up.
The Brazil-born 33-year-old hammered a powerful right-footed effort past Shusaku Nishikawa with 21 minutes to go and the Reds were unable to produce a late fightback.
Making matters worse for the Reds, Kashima Antlers closed the gap at the top to four points with a stunning 5-0 dismantling of hosts Tokushima Vortis, who stay rock-bottom.
Goals in quick succession fromCaio and Shoma Doi just before the break gave the visitors a healthy lead at half-time and they pressed home their advantage in the second half.
Caio added his second in the 58th minuteand Yasushi Endo netted number four less than 60 seconds later, with the 26-year-old midfielder doubling his tally late onto complete a resounding triumph.
Kawasaki Frontale will be desperately disappointed not to have kept hold of second place after they drew 1-1 at home to Vegalta Sendai, who went into the match on the back of five consecutive league defeats.
Vegaltastay just outside the bottom three with that point, but Omiya Ardija's resurgence has them closing in on those above the drop zone, with Saturday's 2-1 defeat of fellow strugglers Shimizu S-Pulse representingtheir third win infour games.
In the fight for AFC Champions League spots, Gamba Osaka recorded an impressive 4-1 thrashing of fellow challengers Sagan Tosu, with Brazilian forward Patric inspiring them to victory with a hat-trick.
Tokyo's chances of a top-three finish received a boost with their 4-0 win at home to Kashiwa Reysol, while Albirex Niigata beat Nagoya Grampus - who saw Leandro Domingues sent off in stoppage-time -1-0 on the road to move into the safety of mid-table.
Elsewhere,Sanfrecce Hiroshima left it late to salvage a point at home to Vissel Kobeas Tsukasa Shiotani levelled in the 87th minute, and Ventforet Kofu claimed a 0-0 draw at Yokohama F Marinos.
news_articleSat, 27 Sep 2014 14:18:13 +0000Anonymous259707 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Frontale end Omiyas revivalYoshito Okubos hat-trick helped J-League high-flyers Kawasaki Frontale bring Omiya Ardijas mini-revival to an abrupt end on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-frontale-end-omiyas-revival-champions-league-race-hots
After a 10-match winless league run, Omiya's hopes of avoiding the drop appeared slim but,under new bossHiroki Shibuya,they won back-to-back top-flight matches to reinvigorate their survival fight.
However, Frontale, who are second in the table, headed to the NACK5 Stadium eager to put Saturday's 0-0 stalemate with Tokyo behind them and they did just that with a convincing 3-1win.
Okubo proved the difference, opening the scoring in the 21st minute before doubling his tally five minutes after the break.
The 32-year-old then took his J-League goal totalfor the season to 15 by putting the game beyond doubtwith 11 minutes left on the clock, before an own goal from Yusuke Tanaka in the close stages handed Omiya a consolation.
Frontale remain six points off top spot, though, as leaders Urawa Reds were 2-0 victors at mid-table Albirex Niigata, goals in each half from Shinzo Koroki and Ryota Moriwaki proving enough for three points.
The race for the third and final AFC Champions League spot continues to excite in the J-League and Kashima Antlers moved into third thanks to a 1-0 triumph at Vegalta Sendai, Shoma Doi's strike enough to consign the hosts to a fifth straight defeat - leaving them just two points above the drop zone.
Sagan Tosu had started Tuesday's play in third, but they fell to a 2-0 setback at Kashiwa Reysol thanks totwo goals in the space of eight second-half minutes from Masato Kudo.
Gamba Osaka remain in the hunt for a position in continental competition as Kenta Hasegawa's men ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Shimizu S-Pulse, who remain mired in relegation trouble.
Elsewhere, Tokyo routed rock-bottom Tokushima Vortis 4-0 at the Ajinomoto Stadium andVentforet Kofu secured a precious three points in a 2-0 triumph over Vissel Kobe.
In other matches, Cerezo Osakafailed to escape the drop zone after losing 2-1 at home to Nagoya Grampus and Yokohama F Marinos defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0.
news_articleTue, 23 Sep 2014 13:33:09 +0000Anonymous257797 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Urawa out to consolidate leadJ-League leaders Urawa Reds will look to consolidate their position at the summit with victory at mid-table Albirex Niigata on Tuesday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-urawa-out-consolidate-lead
In-form Urawa have taken 13 points from their last five top-flight outings to open up a six-point lead over Kawasaki Frontale and Sagan Tosu.
And Mihailo Petrovic's side will fancy their chances of taking another step towards a first J.League title in eight years against Albirex - a club they have not lost to since July 2006.
Urawa's closest challengers Kawasaki and Sagan face trips to Omiya Ardija and Kashiwa Reysol respectively.
Omiya appeared to be doomed to relegation after going 10 games without a win beforeHiroki Shibuya took over, but the new boss has led them to consecutive victories, meaning they are within touching distance of rising out of the drop zone.
Kashima Antlers, who sit just outside the AFC Champions League qualification places, will be confident of taking advantage of any slip-ups from those above them when they visit Vegalta Sendai, who have lost four in a row.
Meanwhile, KentaHasegawa takes his in-formGamba Osaka side to his former club Shimizu S-Pulse, and Vissel Kobe head to Ventforet Kofu.
Tokyo have not lost in 12 J-League games, but four straight draws have left them eight points behind the AFC Champions League places.
However, the capital club have the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways againstrock-bottom Tokushima Vortis this week.
Other midweek fixtures see reigning champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who sit seventh, visit Yokohama F Marinos, andCerezo Osaka host Nagoya Grampus.
news_articleMon, 22 Sep 2014 13:23:54 +0000Anonymous257096 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Gamba clinch Osaka derbyGamba Osaka kept city rivals Cerezo in the relegation mire with a 2-0 derby win at the Expo 70 Commemorative Stadium on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-gamba-clinch-osaka-derby-tokushima-vortis-brink
The visitors went into the game on the back of animpressive 2-0 victory over Kashiwa ReysolbutYuji Okuma's men were unable to build on last weekend's winas they went down to goals in either half.
Hiroyuki Abe opened the scoring with his seventh league goal of the campaign prior to the interval before Akihiro Sato put the game out of Cerezo's reacha minute from time.
It denied the visitors the chance to edge clear of the bottom three while Gamba's third consecutive league victory keeps them in the race for an AFC Champions League place.
A point in the derby would have proven enough to move Cerezo out of dangerafter Ventforet Kofu were beaten 2-0 by Nagoya Grampus in the day's other early kick-off.
Asahi Yada and Kensuke Nagaiwere on target as the hosts extended their unbeaten run in the top flight to five matches.
Fellow strugglers Shimizu S-Pulse lost 3-1 atVissel Kobe, and VegaltaSendaiwere beaten 2-1 bySagan Tosu, while second-bottomOmiya Ardijasentrock-bottom Tokushima Vortis closer to the drop with a 2-0 win at thePocari Sweat Stadium.
Tokushima sit 10 points adrift at the bottom after Dragan Mrdastruck for thevisitors, who appear to be finding some form and have moved to within two points of safety.
In the battle for the title, Urawa Reds took another step towards their first J-League crownsince 2006with a 3-1 win against 10-man Kashiwa Reysol.
Daisuke Nasu, Yosuke Kashiwagi and Shinzo Koroki were the men on target for the leaders asKenta Kanowas dismissed for the visitors early in the second half.
With Kawasaki Frontale held to a goalless draw by Tokyo, Urawa lead the divisionby six points while Kashima Antlers bounced back from their shock defeat Omiya.
Yasushi Endo's goal proved decisive as Kashimasaw off Yokohama F Marinos to stay within reach of an AFC Champions League places.
Elsewhere, Sanfrecce Hiroshima defeatedAlbirex Niigata2-0.
news_articleSat, 20 Sep 2014 13:22:50 +0000Anonymous255780 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Osaka derby seizes spotlightJ-League leaders Urawa Reds and Kawasaki Frontale face differing challenges as a high-stakes Osaka derby unfolds this weekend.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-top-two-face-tests-derby-seizes-spotlight
Second-placed Kawasaki will attempt to end Tokyo's 11-game unbeaten league run, while Urawa are out to avoid suffering defeat by Kashiwa Resyol for a fourth game in succession.
The top two both, nonetheless, have reason for optimism heading into Round 24 of 34.
Urawa, chasing a first domestic trophy since 2006, have scored four goals in each of their last three J-League games and will unleash striker Tadanari Lee on his former club.
"We may have got another big win but it wasn't easy," said Urawa coach Mihailo Petrovic following the 4-1 win over Shimizu S-Pulse last time out.
"We must avoid complacency. I've seen a lot we can improve on and there's a long way to go."
Meanwhile Kawasaki, largely thanks to the invention of Brazilian playmaker Renatinho and prolificacy of forward Yu Kobayashi, have scored nine goals in their last two home league outings.
Sagan Tosu and Kashima Antlers, the only other two sides with realistic title hopes, have home assignments they will expect to pass in the form of fifth-bottom Vegalta Sendai and mid-table Yokohama F Marinos.
The Osaka derby pits together sides at opposite ends of the table. In-form Gamba, in fifth, are just four points adrift of the final AFC Champions League qualification place, while Cerezo are in the relegation zone.
Cerezo have nevertheless, with high-profile overseas signings Diego Forlan and Cacau on the bench and injured respectively, won three consecutive games in all competitions.
The last two league fixtures between the two clubs have finished 2-2.
If Cerezo win, Ventforet Kofu, Vegalta Sendai or Shimizu S-Pulse could find themselves in the drop zone.
Ventforet Kofu are away to fellow strugglers Nagoya Grampus and Shimizu are at sixth-placed Vissel Kobe.
Finally, the bottom two will collide in Naruto. Hiroki Shibuya, in his first game in charge of Omiya Ardija, masterminded an upset of Kashima that ended their 10-match winless league run.
Omiya will now strive to take another step towards a relegation escape at rock-bottom Tokushima Vortis.
news_articleThu, 18 Sep 2014 14:36:55 +0000Anonymous254532 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Wrap: Urawa Reds increase advantageUrawa Reds moved four points clear at the top of the J-League with a 4-1 victory over Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-review-urawa-reds-stretch-lead-rivals-slip
Two goals in either half wereenough to see the leaders extend their advantage by another point as rivals Sagan Tosu and Kashima Antlers suffered surprise defeats to struggling sides.
Ryota Moriwaki and Tadanari Lee netted within six minutes of eachother midway through the first half to put the league leaders aheadat the break.
Tomoaki Makino added a third with 18 minutes to play before Yasuhiro Hiraoka pulled a goal back for S-Pulse, but any sense of consolation was wiped outas he put through his own goal late in the game.
Tosu's patchy league form continued against relegation battlers Ventforet Kofu as they were beaten 1-0.
Veteran defender Kohei Morita scored the only goal of the game on Saturday as Megumu Yoshida's men fell to their third defeat in five league matches.
Antlers suffered their first defeat in the league since May as Omiya Ardija ended a 10-game winless run with a 2-1 victory.
Shohei Takahashi was the Ardija hero as he struck the winning goal in the 74th minute after Dragan Mrda's opener had been cancelled out by Gen Shoji.
Kawasaki Frontale took full advantage as they moved into second place with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over bottom club Tokushima Vortis.
They were ahead after just five minutes thanks to An Byong-jun, with Yu Kobayashi striking his 10th league goal of the season in first-half stoppage-time.
Renatinho and Jeci compounded Vortis' misery with two goals in seven minutes just after the hour to ensure Frontale leapfrogged both Tosu and Antlers.
Cerezo Osaka ensured there is only two points between four sides in the bottom half as they beat Kashiwa Reysol 2-0, while Vegalta Sendai were beaten 1-0 by Albirex Niigata.
Elsewhere, there were also wins for Nagoya Grampus and Gamba Osaka but Tokyo were denied all three points as Vissel Kobe came from a goal down to draw 1-1.
news_articleSat, 13 Sep 2014 13:51:11 +0000Anonymous251008 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comJ-League Preview: Chasers seek improvementThe J-Leagues chasing pack will look to bounce back from disappointing results when they return to action this weekend.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/jleague-preview-chasing-pack-seek-improvement-reds-visit-s-pulse
Sagan Tosu, Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Frontale all squandered opportunities to keep pace withleaders Urawa Reds last time out in the Japanese top flight.
The Reds stretched their advantage to three points over Sagan as the second-placed side were held to a 2-2 draw by Shimizu S-Pulse.
Kashima and Kawasaki - third and fourth respectively -were also restricted to a single point by Tokyo and Nagoya Grampus and sit a point behind Sagan.
Sagan travel to Ventforet Kofu on Saturday as they look to reel the Reds back in, and will be hoping for a favour from S-Pulse, who play host to the current leaders.
The Reds will want to bounce back after crashing out of the J-League Cup at the quarter-final stage on away goals to Sanfrecce Hiroshima last weekend.
"The reason for our team's defeatwas that we were not able to score one more goal to win the match even though we created so many scoring opportunities," said coach Mihailo Petrovic after that defeat.
"Now, we must put this behind us and concentrate on our upcoming J-League matches and prepare well for our next match against Shimizu S-Pulse."
Kashima's draw in their last fixturebrought an end to a four-game winning streak, but they remain unbeaten in nine in the league.
Omiya Ardija are their opponents this weekend - a side without a win in 10 and rooted in the relegation zone.
Kawasaki have now gone two matches without a win, but will be confident of picking upmaximum points at home to basement club Tokushima Vortis.
Vortis triumphed 2-1 at Albirex Niigata last month, but normal service was resumed when they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sanfrecce Hiroshima last time out.
Cerezo Osaka complete the relegation zone and welcome Kashiwa Reysol this weekend.
Cerezo have registered just one victory in their last 18 outings and are in danger of being hauled further into the mire unless they can turn things around on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Tokyo play host to Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F Marinos welcome Nagoya Grampus, and Vegalta Sendai head to Albirex Niigata.
In the weekend's remaining fixture, Sanfrecce Hiroshima are at home to Gamba Osaka.
news_articleFri, 12 Sep 2014 19:06:02 +0000Anonymous250659 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com